Bogota Reports

[Coupe66]

OK so 2 weeks ago went to Lido on a Monday night. I was only guy there I counted 90 girls a couple of real beauties. Lot more flacas than I remembered from 2 years ago. For the first 20 minutes they just stood around my couch the less hot ones trying their English. 50 k for a corona. I had 2 then finally called over the one I liked most she had blonde hair slim body no operations braces supposedly in her 6th semester of medicine working here for tuition. She wanted 800 k plus salida for the whole night until 5 am it was already 2 am. I said that was a lot she said OK 700 k for in lido shell cover the room fee. I said I was thinking more like 200 k one of these afternoons in a motel. She got up and left. Its possible a Colombian could pull it off but now way is she letting a chichipato gringo get away with a discount. Girls there have exact same bodies as Santa Fe its just that their dressed nicer more elegant.

Then last week I went with Montserrat a Cuban big tit big ass girl at mezzanine 8 for 120 k she worked hard all w condom.

Take care.

Tom power.

The average online price for chicas in Bogota is around 150 K per hour according to sites like prepagados.com, ranging from as low as 80 k and as high as 250 k. I guess you have to account for some extras too. But 800 K!? That's 220 Euro and is much more than I would pay here in Belgium! Seems there is a crazy range of prices there, from the ridiculously low in Santa Fe, to the total ripoff prices such as at Lido! Don't think I'll be bothering visiting there!

[Coupe66]

I'm a huge fan of Uber from the airport.

The last time I took a taxi from the airport I was with two friends coming in from out of town. I wanted to walk the block or so to the traffic circle to get the Uber, and they said screw it, let's just get a taxi that's right here waiting for us.

15 minutes into the trip I noticed the meter was about double it was supposed to be. This despite my warnings to the driver not to try and mess around with us. I told my friends to run in and get their bags the exact moment we got to our destination. Once they had their bags safe, I told that piece of garbage driver (who was trying to charge us 40 k for a 20 k trip) that I knew he was using a "mueco" (slang for an illegal device used to advance the meter, usually a knee lever), and that I was going to call the police on him right then unless he accepted the 20 k it should have been. He cursed me out but took the 20 and left without any problems.

In any other city in Colombia I've never had a problem like that. In Bogota, unfortunately, it's routine. Take Uber as much as possible, people!

Can't you agree a fixed price with the taxi driver before starting the trip ? That's what I often do in such circumstances. How can you tell if they're using devices like a knee lever, can you see it?

[Coupe66]

Thanks again for all the advice guys! I'm not having as much luck as I thought finding nice reasonably priced Airbnb places in Chapinero. Who could recommend me a good Apparthotel type place there ? I've only found one so far which looks reasonable and has good reviews (apartamentos Percales) Thanks!

[Viajando Musico]

It's not just the same bodies. It's 90% of the time the same GIRLS.

I suspect many Lido Girls work in Santa Fe, and vice versa. There might be a few. But you can definitely find Lido quality girls in the clubs in Santa Fe for a fraction of the cost, just less in #'s, but they are there. Lido got more 8 and above girls under the same roof, but they certainly charge you for the convenience and security.

[Mr Enternational]

Sorry for what happened. However, a couple of things I wanted to share in order to temper it:

- taxidrivers have a shitty job, they work 12 hours a day 6 days a week driving in a traffic that I cannot endure more that 2 hours with my own car before I turn mad and this for roughly 1 000 000 a month.

- you might notice at the airport a parking for taxis with hundreds of taxis waiting. Actually, they have to wait 1-2 hours before they finally can pick up a client at airport. Airport overcharge of 5 000 hardly pay this lost time.

- Uber might be convenient sometimes, but I do not agree that they charge 25% of the ride just for their app. Uber is illegal, they don't pay taxes or insurance in Colombia, so it's just sending 25% of your money to an oversea company, not exactly the best way to help Colombian economy to develop.

Unfortunately I do not care about any of that. All I care about is getting to my destination as quick, safe, comfortable, and cheap as I can. Nobody is forced to work for either Uber or the taxi companies. If you feel that you are not being treated fairly at a job then go find another one. There is no reason to try to rip the customers off.

[Routard]

In any other city in Colombia I've never had a problem like that. In Bogota, unfortunately, it's routine. Take Uber as much as possible, people!

Sorry for what happened. However, a couple of things I wanted to share in order to temper it:

- taxidrivers have a shitty job, they work 12 hours a day 6 days a week driving in a traffic that I cannot endure more that 2 hours with my own car before I turn mad and this for roughly 1 000 000 a month.

- you might notice at the airport a parking for taxis with hundreds of taxis waiting. Actually, they have to wait 1-2 hours before they finally can pick up a client at airport. Airport overcharge of 5 000 hardly pay this lost time.

- Uber might be convenient sometimes, but I do not agree that they charge 25% of the ride just for their app. Uber is illegal, they don't pay taxes or insurance in Colombia, so it's just sending 25% of your money to an oversea company, not exactly the best way to help Colombian economy to develop.

[BlueCar]

It's not just the same bodies. It's 90% of the time the same GIRLS.

No way, the Lido girls are def better. I heard that they have to pay the club like 100 k a day to be there and that's prob why they charge so high. While in Santa Fe the margins are a lot lower so they are cheaper but they session with A LOT more guys everyday.

[Bango Cheito]

There is a taxi stand with an official person directing you. I believe they will give you a receipt. Plus they have cameras everywhere. It should be safe. But, as a tourist, every taxi I took at the airport attempted to scam me. Normally just for a small amount, but one time it was ridiculous. I know a girl that will never go back to Colombia because she got extorted for $50 or $80 USD. Probably the same way one taxi driver tried to scam me. When I asked how much, he pointed to the meter, which was a ridiculous amount if you don't use the chart.

A good App to use to calculate the taxi fare is "Calculadora de Tarifas", which has all the necessary inputs for the surcharges. IMO, the airport taxi is safe. Just know what the fare is, be polite, and have exact change. Just like most airports in the world.

I'm from America, and I always tip, especially since they always help you with your luggage. But I hate it when they try to add to the fare without me adding the tip.

There is a coupon service (pre-paid) for a mini-van (as of last May). It cost more, but that's what you might be looking for.

Yes, it is a pain the rear to get Uber in Santa Fe, but I've eventually get one. I've gotten it many times around midnite. The problem is that many Uber drivers don't want to pick up in Santa Fe. The Uber App will sometimes say that all its driver are busy. Then you just have to try again. Once a female driver accepted; she was 15 minutes away; she got near my area, and she cancelled. Then I just had to try again. It normally takes me between 10 to 20 minutes to get Uber. Worst case was about 30 minutes.

10 or 20 minute wait is a pain. Next time I'm thinking of using the taxis that's waiting in front of the main clubs. Logically, it seems that it should be safe. Do you use the meter or is it a flat rate? There is a person in a uniform that calls and opens the taxi door. Does he work for the clubs? Do you tip him?

Also, I always put down Troya as the pick-up location. Uber App will put the "preferred pick-up location" at the back entrance. Uber cannot pick or drop you off on that main street.

I usually use Uber. I like that I don't have to tell the taxi driver the address with my bad Spanish accent, or show them the location on Google Maps. But Uber has its bad points. The additional wait and the dreaded surge pricing.

Taking a taxi from Santa Fe is a GUARANTEED fake surcharge from the driver.

[Bango Cheito]

I am not that dumb thank you! There is a difference between that and planning things. When I have rented with Airbnb or stayed in Hotels for the first time in a city, I've often asked them to arrange airport pickups for me, but of course I would ask the price first! And I would NEVER go with somebody shouting 'taxi taxi' at me when leaving arrivals, I am not that naive! There's nothing overly cautious with asking if airport taxi's are generally reliable and regulated or not, in some cities they are, in others not at all!

When I am in Bogota, I will keep a low profile. You won't catch me getting into Hotel taxi's without asking the price first (!) or swearing at Hotel taxi drivers and generally looking for trouble!

I'm a huge fan of Uber from the airport.

The last time I took a taxi from the airport I was with two friends coming in from out of town. I wanted to walk the block or so to the traffic circle to get the Uber, and they said screw it, let's just get a taxi that's right here waiting for us.

15 minutes into the trip I noticed the meter was about double it was supposed to be. This despite my warnings to the driver not to try and mess around with us. I told my friends to run in and get their bags the exact moment we got to our destination. Once they had their bags safe, I told that piece of garbage driver (who was trying to charge us 40 k for a 20 k trip) that I knew he was using a "muñeco" (slang for an illegal device used to advance the meter, usually a knee lever), and that I was going to call the police on him right then unless he accepted the 20 k it should have been. He cursed me out but took the 20 and left without any problems.

In any other city in Colombia I've never had a problem like that. In Bogota, unfortunately, it's routine. Take Uber as much as possible, people!

[Bango Cheito]

OK so 2 weeks ago went to Lido on a Monday night. I was only guy there I counted 90 girls a couple of real beauties. Lot more flacas than I remembered from 2 years ago. For the first 20 minutes they just stood around my couch the less hot ones trying their English. 50 k for a corona. I had 2 then finally called over the one I liked most she had blonde hair slim body no operations braces supposedly in her 6th semester of medicine working here for tuition. She wanted 800 k plus salida for the whole night until 5 am it was already 2 am. I said that was a lot she said OK 700 k for in lido shell cover the room fee. I said I was thinking more like 200 k one of these afternoons in a motel. She got up and left. Its possible a Colombian could pull it off but now way is she letting a chichipato gringo get away with a discount. Girls there have exact same bodies as Santa Fe its just that their dressed nicer more elegant.

Then last week I went with Montserrat a Cuban big tit big ass girl at mezzanine 8 for 120 k she worked hard all w condom.

Take care.

Tom power.

It's not just the same bodies. It's 90% of the time the same GIRLS.

[Bango Cheito]

What's the safest way to travel from the airport to Chapinero? Is it possible to pre-book a taxi, or is there a regulated taxi stand at the airport? I speak Spanish and am a pretty aware guy, but at the same time there's no need to take risks at the start of your trip, when you have all your belongings.

Is Bogota a good city for cycling? When I check google maps, no street looks crazy busy or narrow, there are some cycle paths and the city is relatively flat, I think anyway.

Bogota is EXCELLENT for cycling. You may want to avoid rush hours, though.

[Tom Power]

OK so 2 weeks ago went to Lido on a Monday night. I was only guy there I counted 90 girls a couple of real beauties. Lot more flacas than I remembered from 2 years ago. For the first 20 minutes they just stood around my couch the less hot ones trying their English. 50 k for a corona. I had 2 then finally called over the one I liked most she had blonde hair slim body no operations braces supposedly in her 6th semester of medicine working here for tuition. She wanted 800 k plus salida for the whole night until 5 am it was already 2 am. I said that was a lot she said OK 700 k for in lido shell cover the room fee. I said I was thinking more like 200 k one of these afternoons in a motel. She got up and left. Its possible a Colombian could pull it off but now way is she letting a chichipato gringo get away with a discount. Girls there have exact same bodies as Santa Fe its just that their dressed nicer more elegant.

Then last week I went with Montserrat a Cuban big tit big ass girl at mezzanine 8 for 120 k she worked hard all w condom.

Take care.

Tom power.

[Mr Enternational]

Regarding Uber, first you wrote

.

But yesterday you wrote

.

Kind of contradicting yourself there!

Not at all. He stated not being able to get an Uber from Santa Fe. The Courtyard Hotel is not located in Santa Fe! The reason for them canceling is because of the one way street system in Bogota. It has been discussed here before. A car may be right near you, but it may take him 10 minutes to get to you because of the way the streets are set up. L.

[Coupe66]

Now that will get him scammed. Once me and my girlfriend were at the Courtyard Hotel trying to get an Uber to go downtown. Those mfs kept canceling though and it was raining so we decided to take that hotel car without asking the prices. We got downtown and that mf said 28K. I cussed his ass out. I told him that we could have gone from the airport to downtown AND back for that much. He said don't be mad at him, because the hotel sets the prices. I think he ended up knocking it down to 25K though.

I still say he is putting too much thought into getting from the airport. I have always just walked outside and hopped into the first taxi that pulls up. No big deal. Even in Vietnam where I can't even say hello in the local language, a report on ISG said take this kind of taxi. I walked outside and got into that kind of taxi and showed the address of where I was going. Cut and dry.

Or if you are that timid about it, go with one of those guys that come up to you saying taxi when you walk out of Customs. No idea what they charge though. Or ask the hotel (air bnb owner in his case) how much a taxi should be from the airport and tell one of those guys that you will pay that amount to go there.

I am not that dumb thank you! There is a difference between that and planning things. When I have rented with Airbnb or stayed in Hotels for the first time in a city, I've often asked them to arrange airport pickups for me, but of course I would ask the price first! And I would NEVER go with somebody shouting 'taxi taxi' at me when leaving arrivals, I am not that naive! There's nothing overly cautious with asking if airport taxi's are generally reliable and regulated or not, in some cities they are, in others not at all!

When I am in Bogota, I will keep a low profile. You won't catch me getting into Hotel taxi's without asking the price first (!) or swearing at Hotel taxi drivers and generally looking for trouble!

[Coupe66]

Regarding Uber, first you wrote

There is your problem right there (iPhone). I have a Samsung Galaxy. LOL. Really I have used it from there at all kinds of times and never a problem.

.

But yesterday you wrote

Once me and my girlfriend were at the Courtyard Hotel trying to get an Uber to go downtown. Those mfs kept canceling though and it was raining so we decided to take that hotel car without asking the prices. .

.

Kind of contradicting yourself there!